Tossin’ It Out There: Who’s YOUR Favorite Director?

Yesterday’s “Rear Window” post brought some of the comments around to Alfred Hitchcock and his directorial prowess. That put it in my mind to turn this week’s discussion topic to the subject of directors.

Who’s your favorite? Will it be one of the big names, like Spielberg, Scorsese, Kubrick, or Hitchcock himself? Or will it be some of today’s auteurs, such as Paul Thomas Anderson or Darren Aronofsky? How about the Coen Brothers? Or Quentin Tarantino? I’m sure that everyone has a director or two whose projects they eagerly anticipate, or whose filmography they’re checking off like a check list.

Which is (are) YOURS? Is there a director who speaks to you more than others? Is there anyone you think can absolutely do no wrong?

Impossible question, man. For the classics, I’m all about Hitchcock, Kubrick and Wilder. For modern directors, I am a huge fan of PTA and Aronofsky, I feel guilty even narrowing my list down to five though. :)

LOL. I’ll have to ask once a week just to stay up to speed with everyone’s changing tastes. ;)

I think that’s the first time anyone has mentioned Alexander Payne, here Chris, nice one! His filmography is still blemish free in my opinion. Nothing but winners. “The Descendants” was my movie of the year in 2011… I’m a big fan! :D

…with Hitchcock pictured I’m immediately leaning towards him – great body of work and some of my favorite films. However, Spielberg has had a similar effect on me in terms of how much of his work would appear in my top 100 films of all time. For a director who spoke to my sensibilities it would be Spielberg while Robert Zemeckis would be a close second. I also have a deep love of Joe Dante – just wish he would do more, while Nolan, Scorsese, Cronenberg and Soderbergh would be up there in terms of contemporary filmmakers.

But in terms of picking a number one director of all time I’d have to go back in time. But this would mean throwing a dart at a dartboard because I couldn’t pick between these three: Hitchcock, Billy Wilder and Sidney Lumet.

Hitchcock is an excellent choice, I imagine you didnt need MY help (the picture) to make that call, Dan!

Spielberg is awesome, too. Obviously very few people can even dream of the type of success that he’s had. Also glad to see Lumet getting more love… very happy to see him mentioned so many times this week.

Don’t know if I could include Joe Dante in that mix though Dan! ;) LOL